Griffin Tells Astronomers To Lower Expectations

Aviation Week & Space Technology ^ | 1/14/2006 | Frank Morring, Jr.

[saganite]

In other words, real science can expect to suffer (as always) because it's important to maintain the illusion of a manned space program.

[Strategerist]

Wonder if I'm the only person that is completely "mehh" about man returning to the moon?

Really has no interest for me at all. I'd be 1000 times more interested in a robotic probe drilling the ice of Europa and entering the (presumed) ocean below it.

[orionblamblam]

> I'd be 1000 times more interested in a robotic probe drilling the ice of Europa and entering the (presumed) ocean below it.

Why? Man on the moon has the potential of expanding human civilization. Robotic missions serve only two purposes:
1: Preparation for sending Man
2: Pretty pictures.

[RightWhale]

the growth of science in NASA has been in the 5-7% range

LOL

We can buy anything in America.

[talleyman]

Translation: "You can ask for Pluto, but we're gonna hand you Uranus..."

[newgeezer]

manned space program

Been there, done that, back in the 20th Century. Manned space exploration should be left to third-world countries like China who feel a need to play catch-up.

America's armchair Captain Kirks need to face up to the fact that it's time to move on. If they want to keep playing, they should play with their own money.

[Doctor Stochastic]

Griffin Tells Astronomers To Lower Expectations

Lower as in Beneath the Moon or Just Over Everest?

[Moonman62]

Wonder if I'm the only person that is completely "mehh" about man returning to the moon?

Nope. The Moon And Mars boondoggle is going to kill NASA. Anytime the politicians get involved there are big problems.

The exception was the Apollo program, but the bureaucrats weren't entrenched yet and NASA had a blank check to overcome FUBAR's like Apollo 1 and Apollo 13.

[from occupied ga]

If they want to keep playing, they should play with their own money.

YES!! Needs repeating

[battlecry]

Low as in the Calypso tune, "How low can you go?"

[newgeezer]

That goes double for the nutjobs with dreams of colonizing space.

[samadams2000]

Sub the work out ...save 50% and use that for more projects.

[randog]

...questions like "What is dark energy?"

[KevinDavis]

Excellent...

[KevinDavis]

Well the Astronomers should pay their own way also..

[Doctor Stochastic]

Lowering expectations doing the limbo actually means raising them.

[Paul Ross]

We went into space with a utopian share and share alike mindset. The Chinese may mouth something similar, but they will instead be busy deploying military installations, and building linear accelerators on the moon to drop rocks on your head...

They believe they should be in control of space.

With your posture of retreat, it would basically not be a challenge for China to not just "catch-up" but surpass...then actively DENY us access to space.

I know this is too long a view for short-sighted minds to digest...but that is their view.

[TheForceOfOne]

A little off base but it is an Astronomy thread.


The Celestron SkyScout makes great use of GPS. Look at the night sky through this handheld gizmo and it can tell you what you are looking at. The screen gives you the name of the star, the planet, etc. and it will also talk to you and give you the same info. Since it’s knows the date, the SkyScout can also tell you what’s available where you are and tell you which way to turn to see particular objects. (You follow the arrows in the viewfinder) If you like, you can download new tours and data to an SD card via computer. Now when you look up in the sky you won’t have to guess at what you’re seeing. Coming in March for under $400.

SkyScout

[RightWhale]

Space development and space exploration have little to do with science. Anyway, in spite of prophecy, the US has claimed all of outer space.

There are those who get their property tax notification today and immediately begin a rant, but never get around to going down to the tax hearings to get their assessment reduced.

There are some practical things to do, but pointing with dismay isn't one of them.